This class is taught in English.

1. Students will define what a growth mindset is and give one example.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of growth mindset to create a personal mantra
3. Students will discover how our brain works to influence our thoughts and behaviors. 
4. Students will develop their own self-compassion plan.
5. Students will complete the VIA Character Survey to identify their strengths and values.
6. Students will construct a plan to use two of their strengths more mindfully.

My studies include a master's degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University; a graduate certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia; a bachelor's degree in Psychology; and, I'm a certified life coach. During graduate school, I completed 8-week courses in MBSR training through Palouse Mindfulness and the Science of Happiness offered by UC Berkeley — once as an online TA. I teach pre-k through 12th grade in three school districts as a substitute teacher. In this capacity, I've worked with children who have educational and behavioral challenges such as ADHD, ADD, ODD, test anxiety, and trouble reading. I've worked in basic skills and resource classrooms either as the lead teacher or a para-educator. As a freelance writer and editor, I explore the intersection of positive, neuro, and behavioral psychology. My work is available to read through several sources: PositivePsychology.com, Thrive Global, Ardent Path Journal, The Ascent, Better Humans, Publishous, The Startup,  The Writing Cooperative, The Post-Grad Survival Guide, and Fine Lines Literary Journal. 

Homework Offered
All assignments are due by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. (Your time zone)

Week #1 Assignments:
1. Read "Mantra" at: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mantra
2. Read "Failure and the Art of Juggling" at: https://medium.com/ardent-path-journal/failure-and-the-art-of-juggling-530a7da7a4a6?source=friends_link&sk=b37e779e241592befbedfb732885e9a1
3. Read "5+ Ways to Develop and Growth Mindset Using Grit & Resilience at: https://positivepsychology.com/5-ways-develop-grit-resilience/
4. Create your personal mantra using what you've learned about mindsets. You can use any photo editing tool already available to you. 
5. Post an image of your mantra in this section's Outschool classroom.
6. Write a one-page, double-spaced reflection paper that includes your perspective about growth mindsets and mantras. 
7. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way.

Week #2 Assignments:
1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview."
2. Watch this week's video about the structure of the brain: Dan Siegel "The Adolescent Brain" - https://youtu.be/0O1u5OEc5eY
3. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way.

Week #3 Assignments:
1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview."
2. Read "5 Steps to Develop Self-Compassion" and "Memories, Misinformation, and You."
3. Complete the self-compassion reflection project. For this reflection assignment, I invite you to express yourself using one of three ways:
* 1-page, double-spaced paper
* 3-5 minute recording uploaded as a mp3
* 1-page drawing uploaded as a jpeg
4. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way.

Week #4 Assignments:
1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview."
2. Read "What are your signature strengths?"
3. Take the youth VIA survey.
4. Develop an action plan for using two of your strengths more mindfully.
5. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way.


1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered

Review the "homework" and "materials" sections for details.